I seem to have developed a fear of the sight of kids, at least in my local area. Well, perhaps it’s not quite fear; more a mixture of concern and animosity. Whenever I see a group of school-age young people in the street when I’m out and about these days, my adrenaline and heart rate begin to rise and I automatically brace for trouble. School kids, particularly teenage boys in groups trying to impress one another, shout abuse at me or take the piss so often that I can’t help starting to worry. Almost unconsciously I prepare myself to shout something back at them.

It happened just now: coming back from quite an early coffee, I saw two young boys across the street from me coming in the opposite direction. I instantly felt my mood change as if I assumed they were about to shout something nasty and try to provoke me. Of course, this time nothing happened and everyone passed quietly; but I just hate the way I now react. I hate the fact that I’ve had so much trouble from these chavvy little shits, I now assume that all children will cause trouble. I don’t see why I have to put up with young people taunting or abusing me just because I use a chair, but at the same time I know it’s wrong for me to assume that they are all just as vile.